O20 Understanding parental needs of a health condition from an internet forum

The internet has become an increasingly popular source for information about health conditions. Parents raising a child with an ongoing health condition may be more likely to seek information via internet forums. Perhaps more so where there are few accessible support groups. Applying qualitative methodology to research internet forums is likely to increase in the future. Aims Firstly, gain insight into issues parents ask about having a child with Glue Ear (GE); secondly, develop reliable information for them from early childhood educators, medical and paramedical professionals and disseminate empirically-based and accessible information to parents through the internet. GE affects 80% of young children worldwide and is the most common cause of medical appointments for children under the age of 7 years. However, online support groups for parents of children with GE are scarce, not monitored, and often parents’ questions go unanswered. Knowledge about GE’s psychosocial impact on parents and families is limited. For the qualitative researcher, internet forums provide naturalistic data which is produced by ‘participants’ without researcher’s intervention or shaping of the topics investigated. Such forums also provide insight into the questions of concern to patients/carers, thus increasing involvement in care and providing more personalised medicine. Inductive content analysis was used to explore the parents’ concerns about their child’s GE since the information in internet forums is naturally fragmentary. This method provides a robust and theoretically systematic approach adding credibility to the findings. The nature of forum postings is that they are of a manageable size to maintain understanding of the context and implicit and explicit meaning. The first post was coded jointly to ensure consistency with subsequent posts coded independently before making comparisons. We used a detailed, written reviewing process at all stages of analysis to maintain transparency. The focus here is on the methodology and choice of data.

The internet has become an increasingly popular source for information about health conditions. Parents raising a child with an ongoing health condition may be more likely to seek information via internet forums. Perhaps more so where there are few accessible support groups. Applying qualitative methodology to research internet forums is likely to increase in the future. Aims Firstly, gain insight into issues parents ask about having a child with Glue Ear (GE); secondly, develop reliable information for them from early childhood educators, medical and paramedical professionals and disseminate empirically-based and accessible information to parents through the internet.
GE affects 80% of young children worldwide and is the most common cause of medical appointments for children under the age of 7 years. However, online support groups for parents of children with GE are scarce, not monitored, and often parents' questions go unanswered. Knowledge about GE's psychosocial impact on parents and families is limited.
For the qualitative researcher, internet forums provide naturalistic data which is produced by 'participants' without researcher's intervention or shaping of the topics investigated. Such forums also provide insight into the questions of concern to patients/carers, thus increasing involvement in care and providing more personalised medicine.
Inductive content analysis was used to explore the parents' concerns about their child's GE since the information in internet forums is naturally fragmentary. This method provides a robust and theoretically systematic approach adding credibility to the findings. The nature of forum postings is that they are of a manageable size to maintain understanding of the context and implicit and explicit meaning. The first post was coded jointly to ensure consistency with subsequent posts coded independently before making comparisons. We used a detailed, written reviewing process at all stages of analysis to maintain transparency. The focus here is on the methodology and choice of data.
Introduction The BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older adults with Spinal Trouble) Randomised Controlled Trial is evaluating a physical and psychological intervention for older adults with neurogenic claudication. Embedded within the trial is a longitudinal qualitative study, exploring participants' experiences and beliefs about ageing and rehabilitation, and how these change over time.
Methods Sixty participants were purposively recruited into the qualitative study from the main trial (n=438), to ensure a representative sample of age, gender, ethnicity, and treatment allocation. Interviews are being conducted at three time points (immediately post-randomisation; approximately one month post-intervention; and approximately 12 months post-randomisation). Twelve-month data collection will be completed in June 2019. Initial interviews are conducted face-face, and follow-up interviews via telephone. Excellent participant engagement and low attrition has generated a large volume of richly descriptive qualitative data; presenting a challenge to analyse data in an efficient and meaningful way within project deadlines. Results To facilitate the analysis of this large data set, we have adapted the Framework Method to enable longitudinal withinand cross-case analysis. Individual pen portraits were written from Time 1 interview transcripts of six participants, and a 6category analytical framework developed. This framework was used as a template for pen portraits of the participants' Time 2 and Time 3 interview transcripts, with new categories added and existing categories expanded as required. The framework was further developed over consecutive participant transcripts, until no further changes were required. Data was then charted into the framework matrix, and longitudinal trajectories analysed. Discussion The volume of data collected in this large-scale, embedded qualitative study necessitated a novel approach to analysis. Adaption of existing approaches has resulted in a Longitudinal Framework Method, enabling the exploration of participants' experiences and beliefs of aging and rehabilitation over time. Outcomes will inform future implementation of the physical and psychosocial management of this patient group. Background Sexual assault in adolescence and adulthood is a pervasive crime often resulting in trauma to survivors. Despite its considerable consequences, relatively few survivors disclose Abstracts A8